NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF

EL SANTA
LANGUAGE CENTER

TEACHER:
CESAR A. MARTINEZ ARCILA
STUDENT:
ESPINOZA EUSEBIO TATIANA

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI

INTRODUCTION
Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities in recent years and is in constant
development with the intention to reflect the Arab culture from the absolute luxury
and glamor. Important center that attracts businessmen as well as tourists of all
ages and nationalities.
This monograph is about Dubai and how its economic power has converted this
city in one of references in civil engineering in the world, its buildings are admired
for their beauty, elegance and form of construction.
In the last years, we have seen a vertical growth in the buildings more and more
higher and Dubai has many of them. Hotels with all kinds of luxury details like
nowhere else in the world you will find, large buildings, shopping centers and
larger beaches and islands in the world built by man and every day increase and
improve, bordering on perfection. Instead of constantly expanding contrasts
where perfection ends with nature. This monograph talk about main
megaconstruction like Burj Khalifa Hotel, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Hydropolis
Underwater Hotel, Ski Dubai, Mall of Emirates, The World Islands, Blossoming
Dubai, National Bank.

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI

INDEX
MEGACONSTRUCTION IN DUBAI ............................................................................................. 3
CHAPTER I: DUBAI ........................................................................................................... 3
1.1.

GEOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................... 3

1.2.

CLIMATE ............................................................................................................. 4

1.3.

DEMOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 5

1.4.

HISTORY ............................................................................................................. 6

1.5.

ECONOMY .......................................................................................................... 8

CHAPTER II: MEGACONSTRUCTIONS ....................................................................... 11

2.1. BURJ KHALIFA ..................................................................................................... 11
2.2. BURJ AL ARAB ..................................................................................................... 13
2.3. HYDROPOLIS UNDERWATER HOTEL ............................................................. 15
2.4. SKI DUBAI ............................................................................................................. 16
2.5. MALL OF EMIRATES ........................................................................................... 18
CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................... 19
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 20

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI

MEGACONSTRUCTION IN DUBAI
CHAPTER I: DUBAI
1.1.

GEOGRAPHY
Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates
and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52 ft above). The emirate of Dubai
shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and
the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a minorexclave of the
emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates
of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north). The Persian Gulf
borders the western coast of the emirate.
Dubai covers an area of 4,110 km2, which represents a significant
expansion beyond its initial 3,900 km2 designation due to land reclamation
from the sea.

Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of
Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE
in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns,
while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country.
The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and
white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha,

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes
grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.
The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains, which
run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar
chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise
to about 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) in some places. Dubai has no natural
river bodies or oases; however, Dubai does have a natural inlet, Dubai
Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels
to pass through. Dubai also has multiple gorges and waterholes, which dot
the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes
covers much of southern Dubai and eventually leads into the desert known
as The Empty Quarter. Seismically, Dubai is in a very stable zonethe
nearest seismic fault line, the Zagros Fault, is 200 kilometres (124 miles)
from the UAE and is unlikely to have any seismic impact on Dubai. Experts
also predict that the possibility of a tsunami in the region is minimal
because the Persian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami.

Dubai Creek runs northeast-southwest through the city. The eastern

section of the city forms the locality of Deira and is flanked by the emirate
of Sharjah in the east and the town of Al Aweer in the south. The Dubai
International Airport is located south of Deira, while the Palm Deira is
located north of Deira in the Persian Gulf. Much of Dubai's real-estate
boom is concentrated to the west of Dubai Creek, on the Jumeirah coastal
belt. Port Rashid, Jebel Ali, Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah and themebased free-zone clusters such as Business Bay are all located in this
section.

1.2.

CLIMATE

The line of the Tropic of Cancer crosses through the UAE, causing the
weather in Dubai to be warm and sunny. In the winter it has an average
daytime temperature of 25C, nearer the coast 12-15C, in the desert or

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
mountains 5C. With the nights being relatively cool. Near coastal areas
humidity can average between 50% and 60%.
In the summer, the weather in Dubai is very hot and humid, with
temperatures reaching mid 40s. Even the sea temperature can reach
37C, with humidity averaging over 90%.
Rainfall in Dubai is infrequent and does not last for a long period. It mostly
rains during the winter period in the form of short gushes and an
occasional thunderstorm. On average, rain falls only five days a year.

1.3.

DEMOGRAPHY

Data from the Dubai Statistics Center website show a that the resident
population of Dubai at the end of 2014 was approximately 2 327 000
while the active daytime population was 3 408 000.
The active daytime population comprises residents plus people working
in Dubai but living outside the city, tourists, sailors and other temporary
residents.
The graph and table below show the resident temporary, and active
daytime population of Dubai by year from 2007 to 2014.

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
As of 2013, only 10-15% of the population of the emirate was made up of
Arab UAE nationals, with the rest comprising expatriates, many of whom
either have been in the country for generations or were born in the UAE.
Approximately 85% of the expatriate population (and 71% of the emirate's
total population) was Asian, chiefly Indian (51%) and Pakistani (16%);
other significant groups include Bangladeshis (9%), Filipinos (3%) and a
sizable community of Somalis numbering around 30,000, as well as other
communities of various nationalities. A quarter of the population reportedly
traces their origins to Iran. In addition, 16% of the population (or 288,000
persons) living in collective labour accommodation were not identified by
ethnicity or nationality, but were thought to be primarily Asian. There are
over 100,000 British expatriates in Dubai, by far the largest group of
Western expatriates in the city. The median age in the emirate was about
27 years. The crude birth rate, as of 2005, was 13.6%, while the crude
death rate was about 1%.
1.4.

HISTORY

Some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, led by the Maktoum Family,
settled at the mouth of the creek in 1833. The creek was a natural harbour
and Dubai soon became a center for the fishing, pearling and sea trade.
By the turn of the 20th century Dubai was a successful port. The souk
(Arabic for market) on the Deira side of the creek was the largest on the
coast with 350 shops and a steady throng of visitors and businessmen. By
the 1930s Dubai's population was nearly 20,000, a quarter of whom were
expatriates.
In the 1950s the creek began to silt, a result perhaps of the increasing
number of ships that used it. The late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh
Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, decided to have the waterway dredged. It
was an ambitious, costly, and visionary project. The move resulted in
increased volumes of cargo handling in Dubai. Ultimately it strengthened
Dubai's

position

as

major

trading

and

re-export

hub.

When oil was discovered in 1966, Sheikh Rashid utilized the oil revenues
to spur infrastructure development in Dubai. Schools, hospitals, roads, a

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
modern telecommunications network, the pace of development was
frenetic. A new port and terminal building were built at Dubai International
Airport. A runway extension that could accommodate any type of aircraft
was implemented. The largest man-made harbor in the world was
constructed at Jebel Ali, and a free zone was created around the port.
Dubai's formula for development was becoming evident to everyone
visionary leadership, high-quality infrastructure, an expatriate-friendly
environment, zero tax on personal and corporate income and low import
duties. The result was that Dubai quickly became a business and tourism
hub for a region that stretches from Egypt to the Indian sub-continent and
from South Africa to what are now called the CIS countries.
Since the 1960s, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then ruler of Abu
Dhabi, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum had dreamed of creating
a federation of the Emirates in the region. Their dreams were realized in
1971 when Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah
and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah, joined to create the United Arab Emirates.
Under the late Sheikh Zayed, the first President of UAE, the UAE has
developed into one of the richest countries in the world with a per capita
GDP

in

excess

of

US$17,000

per

annum.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Dubai took a strategic decision to emerge
as a major international-quality tourism destination. Investments in tourism
infrastructure

have

paid

off

handsomely

over

the

years.

Dubai is now a city that boasts unmatchable hotels, remarkable

architecture and world-class entertainment and sporting events. The
beautiful Burj Al Arab hotel presiding over the coastline of Jumeira beach
is the world's only hotel with a seven star rating. The Emirates Towers are
one of the many structures that remind us of the commercial confidence in
a city that expands at a remarkable rate. Standing 350 meters high, the
office tower is the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe.
Dubai also hosts major international sporting events. The Dubai Desert
Classic is a major stop on the Professional Golf Association tour. The
Dubai Open, an ATP tennis tournament, and the Dubai World Cup, the
world's richest horse race, draw thousands every year.

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
1.5.

ECONOMY

The Dubai economy enjoys a competitive combination of cost, market and

environmental advantages that create an ideal and attractive investment
climate for local and expatriate businesses alike. In fact, these advantages
not only rank Dubai as the Arabian Gulfs leading multi-purpose business
center and regional hub city, but they place it at the forefront of the globes,
dynamic and emerging market economies.
Dubai, with its ancient commercial and seafaring traditions, has long been
recognized as the Middle East regions leading trading hub and has
emerged as its key re-export center. In more recent years, the Emirate has
become a major venue for a number of growing, profitable industries and
activities:
Meetings, conferences, exhibitions
Tourism
Corporate regional headquarters
Regional transport, distribution and logistics center
Banking, finance and insurance
Business and industrial consulting
Information and Communications Technology
Light and medium manufacturing
This all became possible due to Dubais warm, welcoming people, world
class facilities and infrastructure and farsighted, open and liberal economic
policies. Finally, committed to a progressive vision of itself, keen to
diversify its economy and diminish its reliance upon shrinking oil revenues,
Dubai has begun to develop into the Arabian Gulfs premier international
business center. Consider the factors that contribute to this ongoing
success story.

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI

Dubais Key Advantages

Strategic Location: Dubai is a time zone bridge between the Far East
and Europe on the East-West axis and the CIS and Africa on the northsouth axis. It is a gateway to a market that can be characterized as:
Large - well established trading links exist with the greater than 1.5 billion
people in the neighboring region covering the Gulf, Middle East/Eastern
Mediterranean, CIS, Central Asia, Africa and the Asian sub-continent;
Growing - Dubais total international trade has grown on average by over
11% per year since 1988 and regional economic growth and liberalization
should boost demand further;
Prosperous - a buoyant local economy strategically located in the midst
of one of the worlds richest regions and well endowed with ample supplies
of cheap energy and primary aluminum; also adjacent to major regional
suppliers of vital agro-export commodities;
Diversified - varied and significant import requirements generate
opportunities for product suppliers and re-exporters;
Accessible - served by over 120 shipping lines and linked via 85 airlines
to over 130 global destinations;
Open - no exchange controls, quotas or trade barriers.
Political And Economic Stability: Dubai is part of the UAE which is a
low-crime and politically-stable country. Also, the UAE enjoys financial

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
and monetary stability. Its well-developed, sophisticated banking
system features extensive credit facilities and ample liquidity. The
Emirates emerging capital markets are built on a basis of leadingedge technologies and sound regulatory systems. The government
has a long, consistent commitment to pro-business, liberal economic
policies including the protection of intellectual property rights. The UAE
benefits from stable and harmonious industrial relations. Finally, there
is a well defined, sound legal framework for business and a clear set
of ownership rules. Foreigners are permitted ownership rights of up to
49% for limited liability companies established within the Emirate of
Dubai and up to 100% for professional companies, branches and
representative offices of foreign companies and free zones
enterprises. All of these factors reflect positively in Dubais being
assigned an investment grade rating for fixed income investment by
Moodys Investors Service.
Open And Free Economic System: Dubais economy has been kept
open and free to attract investors and business. Government control
and regulation of private sector activities has been kept to a minimum.
There are no direct taxes on corporate profits or personal income
(except for oil companies that pay a flat rate of 55% and branches of
foreign banks that pay a flat rate of 20% on net profit generated within
Dubai).

World Class Infrastructure and Service Sector: Dubais deliberate policy

of investing heavily in transport, telecommunications, energy and
industrial infrastructure has enabled it to have one of the best
infrastructure facilities in the world; it also contributed significantly both
to its ongoing prosperity and attractiveness to international business.
The Emirate features a network of seven industrial areas, one business
park and three highly successful, specialized free zones of international
distinction, two world class seaports, a major international airport and
cargo

village,

modern

highway

network,

state-of-the-art

10

MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
telecommunications and reliable power and utilities all of which deliver
efficiency, flexibility, reliability, reasonable cost and size.
High Quality of Life, Excellent Living Conditions: Dubais private sector
has invested heavily in real estate such as hotels, residential and
commercial properties, recreational and leisure facilities. In addition, a
number of factors have contributed to the Emirates high quality of life
and superior living conditions making it a model location for many to
emulate. Those factors include excellent infrastructural facilities, low
crime, clean environment, tolerance and cultural diversity, cosmopolitan
life style, modern public administration, availability of a wide range of
consumer goods and services, mild winters and clean, palm fringed
beaches.

CHAPTER II: MEGACONSTRUCTIONS

2.1. BURJ KHALIFA

The building construction began on 21 September 2004, was opened on

Monday, January 4, 2010.
Burj Khalifa is named in honor of the head of state of the federation of the
United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa Ben Zayed Al Nahyan, considered a
pro-Western modernizer and one of the world's richest rulers.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
2.1.1. Designer and creator

Adrian d. Smith is a well-known architect in the world, is the designer and

creator of Burj Khalifa, Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago,
Shanghai Grand Real Estate Office Tower in Shanghai, King Abdullah city
in Saudi Arabia, among others.
2.1.2. Features Burj Khalifa

It is 828 meters high. Its cost is estimated around 20,000 million.

The shape is that of an inverted "Y", stands between the desert and the
sea, the base has a geometric shape of a flower, Hymenocallis six white
petals cultivated in Dubai and India.
The foundation of this building is the largest ever built, the facade is
completely lined with glass panels, also has aluminum parts and steel. Its
weigh is 7 million tons.
The amount of electricity that can be used is equivalent to burning about
360,000 bulbs of 100 watts at the same time.
In this project, 12,000 workers were 22 million hours doing their labors. It
has the fastest elevators in the world, cover a distance of 504 meters at a
speed of 18 meters per second (64km / h), there are 57 lifts in total.
It is the tallest structure built by man.
2.1.3. Inside

It has 186 apartments, 160 of which are habitable, 49 for offices and 61
apartments.
Burj Khalifa will have the first hotel of the Armani brand, in the first 39
floors.
It also has an observatory in the 124th floor, the Dubai Mall, one of the
largest shopping centers.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
Burj Khalifa is a chance to visit the opulent and cosmopolitan Arab city of
Dubai is Jumeirah Mosque also has one of the largest and most beautiful
mosques in Dubai, plus an example of modern Islamic architecture, among
the many attractions that this ancient city that today is "dominated" by
gigantic and modern constructions.
In the emirate they have recently built skyscrapers (which is the Burj
Dubai), and has become a very important gateway to the West which
among other benefits is a major global financial center. The Burj Khalifa is
an architectural wonder.

2.2. BURJ AL ARAB

The Burj Al Arab can be defined as the hotel that accumulates more
records, as it is the highest (321 m), the most luxurious (7 stars) and of
course, one of the most expensive in the world, "Burj Al Arab" is the "Arab
Tower" (Translation). Built in the middle of the sea, in a Persian Gulf area
famous for its spectacular and futuristic architecture, and above all
dedicated to tourism.
The impressive building stands on an artificial island 300 meters from the
coast, opposite the Jumeirah Beach in Dubai.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
2.2.1. Concept

Tom Wright design of the hotel reflects the seafaring heritage of Dubai,
resembling the spinnaker sail of a J class yacht.
2.2.2. Structure

The structure of this masterpiece of architecture is made up of steel

profiles and ensures its stability both for its triangular shape in plan and for
the triangulation of their facades.
2.2.3. Spaces

The hotel is accessed over a footbridge that goes into the hall, located
between the walls of an artificial tank. In the middle of this space, over
180 meters high, a source emits geysers of 30 meters in height every
half hour. Precious marble, walls lined with 22 carat gold and precious
silks contribute to environmental enrichment.
The Burj al-Arab has no single rooms, but features 202 double suites.
The smallest of these suites occupies an area of 169 square meters,
while the largest covers an area of 780 square meters.
All suites are equipped with the latest technology, computers and Internet
access. Inside the suites, the hotel distinguishes between 142 luxury
rooms, 18 panoramic suites, 4 club suites, 28 double suites, six suites of
three beds, two presidential and two royal suites.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
2.3. HYDROPOLIS UNDERWATER HOTEL

The incredible Hydropolis Underwater Hotel and Resort is the conception

of designer Joachim Hauser of Crescent Hydropolis Holdings, LLC. This
fantasy Dubai underwater hotel is the very first of its kind and rests 20
meters below the waters of the Persian Gulf, just off the shores of Jumeirah
Beach. The Hydropolis project aims to conquer the last true frontier on
earth and is scheduled for completion in 2009.
The Hydropolis Dubai is designed in three distinct sections: The waveshaped Land Station, where guests will be welcomed to the underwater
hotel; The transparent Connecting Tunnel, where guests will be
transported by train to the main hotel areas; and The jellyfish-like
Submarine Leisure Complex, offering 220 luxury suites, entertainment and
dining facilities.
The architect of the Hydropolis Underwater Hotel envisioned an organic
structure that would mimic the flow and function of the human organism in
building design. This Dubai underwater hotel covers 27 acres and is
unique in every aspect. The Hydropolis Dubai's two translucent bubble
domes break the water's surface and are home to a concert auditorium
and a ballroom. The ballroom features a retractable petal-like roof for
special open to sky events. Bubble-shaped suites are another unique
Hydropolis feature with clear glass comprising the sleeping area walls and
bathtub.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
The upper stories of the Hydropolis land station offer a unique array of
facilities, including a cosmetic surgical clinic, a marine research lab, and
conference rooms. Lower levels house the staff rooms, goods storage and
loading areas, along with the hotel and parking areas.

2.4. SKI DUBAI

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort with 22,500 square meters of indoor ski
area. It is a part of the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping
malls in the world, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was
developed by Majid Al Futtaim Group, which also operates the Mall of the
Emirates.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
Opened in November 2005, the indoor resort features an 85-meter-high
indoor mountain with 5 slopes of varying steepness and difficulty, including
a 400-metre-long run, the world's first indoor black run, and various
features (boxes, rails, kickers) that are changed on a regular basis. A quad
lift and a tow lift carry skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. Adjoining
the slopes is a 3,000-square-metre Snow Park play area comprising sled
and toboggan runs, an icy body slide, climbing towers, giant snowballs and
an ice cave. Ski Dubai also houses a number of penguins who are let out
of their enclosures several times a day. Penguin encounters can be
booked, allowing the public to interact directly with the penguins. Winter
clothing, ski and snowboard equipment are included in the price of
admission.
An extremely efficient insulation system helps the facility maintain a
temperature of -4 C (30 F) during the day and 6 C (21 F) at night when
the snow is produced.
Ski Dubai is part of the Majid Al Futtaim Group, a Dubai-based developer
of shopping malls in the Middle East.
In 2007 Ski Dubai was awarded the Thea Outstanding Achievement Award
by the Themed Entertainment Association. The Snow Play Area was
designed and produced by Thinkwell Group.
Ski Dubai was the location of a detour in the 10th leg of the reality game
show The Amazing Race Asia on its first season. It also appeared as a
detour in the 5th leg of the 15th season of the original American version.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI
2.5. MALL OF EMIRATES

Mall of the Emirates is a shopping mall in Dubai. Developed and owned by

Majid al-Futtaim Properties, it opened in November 2005 and is located at
interchange four on Sheikh Zayed Road.
The multi-level shopping center currently features more than 560
international brands, more than 700 stores and 11 anchor stores. It has a
total gross leasable area of 234,479 sqm. It also hosts family leisure
activities including Ski Dubai (the Middle Easts first indoor ski resort and
snow park) and the 500-seat capacity Dubai Community Theatre and Arts
Centre. There are more than 90 food outlets.
On November 2005, it was named the World's Leading New Shopping Mall
at the World Travel Awards in London.
Shops at the mall include a Carrefour hypermarket, Centrepoint,
Debenhams, Harvey Nichols, Home Centre, Jashanmal and Marks &
Spencer. There are outlets for books, stationery, toys, gift, fashion, art,
accessories,

electronics,

jewellery,

watches,

furniture,

cosmetics,

perfumes and financial services.

The mall also hosts a number of family leisure offerings. These include the
Magic Planet family entertainment area, a 14-screen VOX Cinema, Ski
Dubai, and the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI

CONCLUSIONS
Dubai has a privileged location and also a stable economy, both have allowed it
to grow in recent years and this growth can be seen also in the architectural works
built in the city.
Dubai has the tallest building in the world called Burj Khalifa, and other buildings
that are not seen elsewhere as the Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Hotel Under Water
Hydropolis, the world's deepest hotel and many more.
Therefore, Dubai has become a symbol of the megaconstructions in the world.

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MEGACONSTRUCTIONS IN DUBAI

REFERENCES
Dubai. Recovered from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai
Dubai Geography. Recovered from: http://www.dubai.com/v/geography/
Dubai Population. Recovered from: https://www.dsc.gov.ae/enus/Themes/Pages/Population-and-VitalStatistics.aspx?Theme=42&year=2014#DSC_Tab1
Population of Dubai. Recovered from: http://www.dubaionline.com/essential/population/
Dubai History. Recovered from:
http://www.dubai.ae/en/aboutdubai/Pages/DubaiHistory.aspx
Dubai Economy. Recovered from:
http://www.dubai.ae/en/aboutdubai/Pages/DubaiEconomy.aspx
Burj Khalifa, la torre ms alta del mundo. Recovered from:
http://suite101.net/article/burj-khalifa-la-torre-ms-alta-del-mundoa8003#.VfVlMRF_Oko
Burj Al Arab. Recovered from:
http://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/Burj_Al_Arab
Hydropolis Hotel Dubai: The Fantasy Dubai Underwater Hotel. Recovered from:
http://www.dubaivacationtrips.com/architectural.php
Ski Dubai. Recovered from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_Dubai
Mall of the Emirates. Recover from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mall_of_the_Emirates

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